Transponder signaling for localization on higher bands

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Some wireless networks may maintain up-to-date location information for the UE by periodically determining the location the UE using a low power transponding mechanism while the UE is in an inactive state. The UE may monitor a first beam to receive one or more transponder search signals during one or more transponder occasions, and between paging attempts from one or more of the base stations of the network. The UE may receive the one or more transponder search signals, and may transmit a transponder response message to a base station including a UE identifier associated with the inactive state. The base station may receive the transponder response message, and may conduct various location measurements for the UE using the transponder response.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to wireless communications, including transpondersignaling for localization on higher bands.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of suchmultiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such asLong Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, orLTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may bereferred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employtechnologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discreteFourier transform (DFT) spread orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communicationssystem may include one or more base stations or one or more networkaccess nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiplecommunication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment(UE).

Some wireless communications networks may implement various techniquesfor maintaining updated location information for a UE. Conventionallocalization techniques for the determining the location of the UE inthe network, however, may be deficient.

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices,and apparatuses that support transponder signaling for localization onhigher bands. Generally, the described techniques provide for improvedtechniques for localizing a user equipment (UE) within a network area.Some wireless communications systems may implement various pagingtechniques to identify a location of the UE with respect to a givenradio access network notification area (RNA). In some cases, one or morebase stations of the RNA may transmit paging messages periodically tolocalize the UE within the RNA. In some examples of beamformed systems,however, coarse localization of the UE 115 to an area of the RNA usingsome paging techniques may be inefficient. To maintain communicationsbetween a UE and a base station of the RNA, the network may attempt tomaintain up-to-date location information for the UE by periodicallydetermining the location the UE using a low power transpondingmechanism. For example, the UE may monitor a first beam to receivetransponder search signals while in an inactive state during one or moretransponder occasions, and between paging attempts from one or more ofthe base stations in the RNA. The UE may respond using a low powertransponder response message, which may allow for relative localizationof the UE in the RNA by a base station that may use the transponderresponse message to conduct various location measurements for the UE.

A method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE) isdescribed. The method may include identifying a transition of the UEfrom a connected state to an inactive state, monitoring a first beamduring a first transponder occasion of the inactive state, where thefirst beam is associated with a first base station of a notificationarea, receiving, during the first transponder occasion, one or moretransponder search messages that include a first identifier associatedwith the notification area, and transmitting, to the first base station,a first transponder response message including a second identifierassociated with the UE.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor,and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may beexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify atransition of the UE from a connected state to an inactive state,monitor a first beam during a first transponder occasion of the inactivestate, where the first beam is associated with a first base station of anotification area, receive, during the first transponder occasion, oneor more transponder search messages that include a first identifierassociated with the notification area, and transmit, to the first basestation, a first transponder response message including a secondidentifier associated with the UE.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. Theapparatus may include means for identifying a transition of the UE froma connected state to an inactive state, means for monitoring a firstbeam during a first transponder occasion of the inactive state, wherethe first beam is associated with a first base station of a notificationarea, means for receiving, during the first transponder occasion, one ormore transponder search messages that include a first identifierassociated with the notification area, and means for transmitting, tothe first base station, a first transponder response message including asecond identifier associated with the UE.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunications at a UE is described. The code may include instructionsexecutable by a processor to identify a transition of the UE from aconnected state to an inactive state, monitor a first beam during afirst transponder occasion of the inactive state, where the first beamis associated with a first base station of a notification area, receive,during the first transponder occasion, one or more transponder searchmessages that include a first identifier associated with thenotification area, and transmit, to the first base station, a firsttransponder response message including a second identifier associatedwith the UE.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a secondbeam associated with a second base station of the notification areasubsequent to the first transponder occasion and prior to a secondtransponder occasion, receiving, during the second transponder occasion,a second one or more transponder search messages including the firstidentifier, and transmitting, to the second base station, a secondtransponder response message including the second identifier.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the second beammay include operations, features, means, or instructions for comparingthe first beam and the second beam based on one or more beammeasurements of beam sweep signals transmitted by the first base stationand the second base station.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a firstperiodicity for receiving the one or more transponder search messagesduring a set of multiple transponder occasions associated with thenotification area and monitoring the first beam during a secondtransponder occasion of the inactive state in accordance with the firstperiodicity.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a secondperiodicity for receiving one or more paging messages during a set ofmultiple paging occasions, where the second periodicity for receivingthe one or more paging messages may be shorter than the firstperiodicity for receiving the one or more transponder search messagesand monitoring for paging messages during the set of multiple pagingoccasions according to the first beam.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the first periodicity may bebased on a mobility profile of the UE, power consumption of the UE, orboth.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for detecting the one ormore transponder search messages based on a correlation property andtransmitting the first transponder response message in response todetecting the one or more transponder search messages.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the first transponderresponse message includes one or more data fields for indicating one ormore measurements associated with the UE, the one or more measurementsincluding a UE transmission power level, timing parameters, batterystatus of the UE, user interaction history, operating temperature, orany combination thereof.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the second identifier of thefirst transponder response message includes a radio network temporaryidentifier associated with the inactive state of the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, receiving the one or moretransponder search messages may include operations, features, means, orinstructions for performing a beam sweep of a set of multiple receivebeams during transmission of the one or more transponder search messagesand selecting a transmission beam for transmitting the first transponderresponse message based on the performing the beam sweep.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the UE includes a firstreceiver operating at a first power for receiving control and datachannel transmissions from the first base station and a second receiveroperating at a second and the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium may include further operations, features,means, or instructions for receiving, during the first transponderoccasion, the one or more transponder search messages at the secondreceiver of the UE.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining a slotboundary based on the one or more transponder search messages andtransmitting the first transponder response message at the slotboundary.

A method is described. The method may include transmitting the firsttransponder response message at a predetermined time offset from the oneor more transponder search messages in response to receiving the one ormore transponder search messages.

An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memorycoupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Theinstructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatusto transmit the first transponder response message at a predeterminedtime offset from the one or more transponder search messages in responseto receiving the one or more transponder search messages.

Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include means fortransmitting the first transponder response message at a predeterminedtime offset from the one or more transponder search messages in responseto receiving the one or more transponder search messages.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code is described. Thecode may include instructions executable by a processor to transmit thefirst transponder response message at a predetermined time offset fromthe one or more transponder search messages in response to receiving theone or more transponder search messages.

A method for wireless communications at a base station is described. Themethod may include identifying a transition of a UE from a connectedstate to an inactive state, transmitting, during a first transponderoccasion, a transponder search message that includes an identifierassociated with a notification area of the base station via a firstbeam, receiving a first transponder response message including a secondidentifier associated with the UE, and determining a location of the UEbased on the first transponder response message.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described.The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with theprocessor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions maybe executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify atransition of a UE from a connected state to an inactive state,transmit, during a first transponder occasion, a transponder searchmessage that includes an identifier associated with a notification areaof the base station via a first beam, receive a first transponderresponse message including a second identifier associated with the UE,and determine a location of the UE based on the first transponderresponse message.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a base station isdescribed. The apparatus may include means for identifying a transitionof a UE from a connected state to an inactive state, means fortransmitting, during a first transponder occasion, a transponder searchmessage that includes an identifier associated with a notification areaof the base station via a first beam, means for receiving a firsttransponder response message including a second identifier associatedwith the UE, and means for determining a location of the UE based on thefirst transponder response message.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunications at a base station is described. The code may includeinstructions executable by a processor to identify a transition of a UEfrom a connected state to an inactive state, transmit, during a firsttransponder occasion, a transponder search message that includes anidentifier associated with a notification area of the base station via afirst beam, receive a first transponder response message including asecond identifier associated with the UE, and determine a location ofthe UE based on the first transponder response message.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a firstperiodicity for a set of multiple transponder occasions associated withthe notification area, the set of multiple transponder occasionsincluding the first transponder occasion and transmitting thetransponder search message in each of the set of multiple transponderoccasions in accordance with the first periodicity.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a secondperiodicity for transmitting one or more paging messages during a set ofmultiple paging occasions, where the second periodicity for transmittingthe one or more paging messages may be longer than the first periodicityfor transmitting the transponder search message, transmitting the one ormore paging messages based on the second periodicity, and receiving,during a first paging occasion, an indication of a location of the UEbased on the first transponder response message.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the first periodicity may bebased on a mobility profile of the UE, power consumption of the UE, orboth.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the location ofthe UE may include operations, features, means, or instructions fordetermining an angle of arrival of the first beam associated withreceiving the first transponder response message and determining arelative direction of the UE with respect to the base station based onthe angle of arrival of the first beam.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining around-trip time between transmitting the transponder search message andreceiving the first transponder response message and determining arelative distance of the UE with respect to the base station based onthe round-trip time.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the transponder searchmessage may be associated with a correlation property for detectionusing an analog correlation circuit.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the firstbeam based on a prior communication with the UE.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the firstbeam based on a prior communication of a second base station with the UEor a last known location of the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the second identifier of thefirst transponder response message includes a radio network temporaryidentifier associated with the inactive state of the UE.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving the firsttransponder response message multiplexed with one or more othertransponder response messages from one or more additional UEs based onthe radio network temporary identifier.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the first transponderresponse message includes one or more data fields for indicating one ormore measurements associated with the UE, the one or more measurementsincluding a UE transmission power level, timing and frequencyparameters, battery status of the UE, user interaction history,operating temperature, or any combination thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for monitoring for thefirst transponder response message at a predetermined offset from thetransponder search message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system thatsupports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system thatsupports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a transponding procedure that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a process flow that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show block diagrams of devices that support transpondersignaling for localization on higher bands in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show block diagrams of devices that support transpondersignaling for localization on higher bands in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13 through 19 show flowcharts illustrating methods that supporttransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some wireless communications systems (for example, millimeter wave (mmW)or new radio (NR) wireless system), may support directional beamformingtechniques to reduce signaling attenuation and pathloss associated withhigh frequency communications in higher bands. In some examples, thesystem may implement various paging techniques to identify a location ofuser equipment (UE) with respect to a given network area, for example, aradio access network notification area (RNA). A paging procedure mayallow for routing communications (e.g., for directing an incoming callor transmitting data) between a UE and a base station of the RNA whilethe UE is in an inactive or idle state. In some cases, one or more basestations of the RNA may transmit paging messages periodically tolocalize the UE within the RNA.

Since the spatial coverage of each narrow transmission beam may belimited, however, base stations may transmit paging messages over anextensive set of narrow transmission beams, increasing signalingoverhead and system complexity. In such examples of beamformed systems,coarse localization of the UE to an area of the RNA using conventionalpaging techniques may be inefficient. For example, in some cases, a beamassociation that the UE identifies during a first paging occasion may nolonger be relevant (e.g., based on UE movement, pathloss, changingsystem conditions, etc.) by the time a second paging occasion occurs.The UE 115-a may then initiate a beam sweep of receive beams todetermine a valid beam association, increasing delay between paging andresponse, and further increasing system latency.

To maintain a valid beam pairing between the UE and a base stationlocated in the RNA, the network may attempt to maintain up to datelocation information for the UE. To increase network efficiency andreduce repetitive paging attempts used for updating locationinformation, the wireless communications system may employ techniquesfor periodically determining the location the UE using a low powertransponding mechanism. In such cases, the transponding mechanism mayallow for frequent localization updating of the UE such that each timepaging occurs, a base station may identify a relative location or a lastknown beam of the UE in the RNA. For example, the UE may monitor one ormore synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) to receive transponder searchsignals while in an inactive state and between paging attempts from oneor more of the base stations in the RNA. The UE (while in the inactivestate) may update a cell or beam on which it camps without necessarilynotifying the base stations of the RNA of such an update. The UE may,however, utilize the updated cell or beam to monitor future transpondersignals. The network (e.g., base stations) may update the RNA of the UEwhen the UE transmits a paging or transponder response message on adifferent cell or beam from which it received the transponder searchsignal.

The UE may respond using a low power transponder response message, whichmay allow for relative localization of the UE in the RNA by a basestation that may use the transponder response message to conduct variouslocation measurements for the UE (e.g., round trip time (RTT)measurements, angle of arrival (AoA) measurements). In addition, thenetwork may update the last known cell or beam for the UE based onreceiving the transponder response message, thus simplifying futurepaging attempts because the network has more up to date locationinformation for the UE.

Particular aspects of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented to realize one or more advantages. The described techniquesmay support improvements in UE localization for paging by supportingsimple and robust localization of UEs in a cell associated with an RNA.In some examples, the techniques may allow for increased time that theUE may spend in an inactive or sleep state through the introduction of awake-up-receiver and processing-power optimized waveforms, a poweroptimized receiver and transmitter (e.g., a transponder), and the like.In addition, the techniques may increase the accuracy of tracking areameasurements for the UE, and may allow a network to maintain updatedlocation information for the UE. Further, the signaling techniquesdescribed may be low-power, and transponder signaling may not requirebaseband processing, thus extending battery life of the UE. As such,supported techniques may include improved network operations and, insome examples, may promote increased communications efficiency, amongother benefits.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context ofwireless communications systems. For example, aspects of the disclosuremay be described in the context of a transponding procedure between oneor more base stations of an RNA and UE. Aspects of the disclosure arefurther illustrated by and described with reference to apparatusdiagrams, system diagrams, a transponding procedure, a process flow, andflowcharts that relate to transponder signaling for localization onhigher bands.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100that supports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wirelesscommunications system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, oneor more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wirelesscommunications system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, anLTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR)network. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 maysupport enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., missioncritical) communications, low latency communications, communicationswith low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

The base stations 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area toform the wireless communications system 100 and may be devices indifferent forms or having different capabilities. The base stations 105and the UEs 115 may wirelessly communicate via one or more communicationlinks 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 overwhich the UEs 115 and the base station 105 may establish one or morecommunication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of ageographic area over which a base station 105 and a UE 115 may supportthe communication of signals according to one or more radio accesstechnologies.

The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of thewireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary,or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices indifferent forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be able tocommunicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, thebase stations 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relaydevices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other networkequipment), as shown in FIG. 1.

The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or withone another, or both. For example, the base stations 105 may interfacewith the core network 130 through one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g.,via an S1, N2, N3, or other interface). The base stations 105 maycommunicate with one another over the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via anX2, Xn, or other interface) either directly (e.g., directly between basestations 105), or indirectly (e.g., via core network 130), or both. Insome examples, the backhaul links 120 may be or include one or morewireless links.

One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or maybe referred to by a person having ordinary skill in the art as a basetransceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radiotransceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB or agiga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home NodeB,a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology.

A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, awireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriberdevice, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device” may alsobe referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, amongother examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as apersonal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personalcomputer. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as awireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device,an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications(MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in variousobjects such as appliances, or vehicles, meters, among other examples.

The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with varioustypes of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relaysas well as the base stations 105 and the network equipment includingmacro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations,among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.

The UEs 115 and the base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate withone another via one or more communication links 125 over one or morecarriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of radio frequencyspectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure forsupporting the communication links 125. For example, a carrier used fora communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio frequencyspectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) that is operated accordingto one or more physical layer channels for a given radio accesstechnology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layerchannel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals,system information), control signaling that coordinates operation forthe carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communicationssystem 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrieraggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured withmultiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink componentcarriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrieraggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) andtime division duplexing (TDD) component carriers.

In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), acarrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling thatcoordinates operations for other carriers. A carrier may be associatedwith a frequency channel (e.g., an evolved universal mobiletelecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absoluteradio frequency channel number (EARFCN)) and may be positioned accordingto a channel raster for discovery by the UEs 115. A carrier may beoperated in a standalone mode where initial acquisition and connectionmay be conducted by the UEs 115 via the carrier, or the carrier may beoperated in a non-standalone mode where a connection is anchored using adifferent carrier (e.g., of the same or a different radio accesstechnology).

The communication links 125 shown in the wireless communications system100 may include uplink transmissions from a UE 115 to a base station105, or downlink transmissions from a base station 105 to a UE 115.Carriers may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in an FDDmode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications(e.g., in a TDD mode).

A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radiofrequency spectrum, and in some examples the carrier bandwidth may bereferred to as a “system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wirelesscommunications system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be oneof a number of determined bandwidths for carriers of a particular radioaccess technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz(MHz)). Devices of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., thebase stations 105, the UEs 115, or both) may have hardwareconfigurations that support communications over a particular carrierbandwidth or may be configurable to support communications over one of aset of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communicationssystem 100 may include base stations 105 or UEs 115 that supportsimultaneous communications via carriers associated with multiplecarrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may beconfigured for operating over portions (e.g., a sub-band, a BWP) or allof a carrier bandwidth.

Signal waveforms transmitted over a carrier may be made up of multiplesubcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques suchas orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fouriertransform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCMtechniques, a resource element may include one symbol period (e.g., aduration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbolperiod and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bitscarried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme(e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of themodulation scheme, or both). Thus, the more resource elements that a UE115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, thehigher the data rate may be for the UE 115. A wireless communicationsresource may refer to a combination of a radio frequency spectrumresource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., spatial layersor beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers may further increasethe data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.

One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported, where anumerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. Acarrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same ordifferent numerologies. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configuredwith multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may beactive at a given time and communications for the UE 115 may berestricted to one or more active BWPs.

The time intervals for the base stations 105 or the UEs 115 may beexpressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example,refer to a sampling period of T_(s)=1/(Δf_(max)·N_(f)) seconds, whereΔf_(max) may represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, andN_(f) may represent the maximum supported discrete Fourier transform(DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organizedaccording to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system framenumber (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes orslots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In someexamples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) intosubframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a number ofslots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of slots,and the number of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot mayinclude a number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of thecyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). In some wirelesscommunications systems 100, a slot may further be divided into multiplemini-slots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix,each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N_(f)) samplingperiods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrierspacing or frequency band of operation.

A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallestscheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wirelesscommunications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission timeinterval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number ofsymbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively,the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to varioustechniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel maybe multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more oftime division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency divisionmultiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A controlregion (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for a physical controlchannel may be defined by a number of symbol periods and may extendacross the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of thecarrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configuredfor a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 maymonitor or search control regions for control information according toone or more search space sets, and each search space set may include oneor multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levelsarranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a controlchannel candidate may refer to a number of control channel resources(e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with encodedinformation for a control information format having a given payloadsize. Search space sets may include common search space sets configuredfor sending control information to multiple UEs 115 and UE-specificsearch space sets for sending control information to a specific UE 115.

Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage via one or morecells, for example a macro cell, a small cell, a hot spot, or othertypes of cells, or any combination thereof. The term “cell” may refer toa logical communication entity used for communication with a basestation 105 (e.g., over a carrier) and may be associated with anidentifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a physical cellidentifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or others). In someexamples, a cell may also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or aportion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over whichthe logical communication entity operates. Such cells may range fromsmaller areas (e.g., a structure, a subset of structure) to larger areasdepending on various factors such as the capabilities of the basestation 105. For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subsetof a building, or exterior spaces between or overlapping with geographiccoverage areas 110, among other examples.

A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by theUEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider supportingthe macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower-powered basestation 105, as compared with a macro cell, and a small cell may operatein the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands asmacro cells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to the UEs 115with service subscriptions with the network provider or may providerestricted access to the UEs 115 having an association with the smallcell (e.g., the UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), the UEs 115associated with users in a home or office). A base station 105 maysupport one or multiple cells and may also support communications overthe one or more cells using one or multiple component carriers.

In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and differentcells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g.,MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that mayprovide access for different types of devices.

In some examples, a base station 105 may be movable and thereforeprovide communication coverage for a moving geographic coverage area110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110associated with different technologies may overlap, but the differentgeographic coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same base station105. In other examples, the overlapping geographic coverage areas 110associated with different technologies may be supported by differentbase stations 105. The wireless communications system 100 may include,for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of thebase stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

The wireless communications system 100 may support synchronous orasynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations 105may have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different basestations 105 may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronousoperation, the base stations 105 may have different frame timings, andtransmissions from different base stations 105 may, in some examples,not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used foreither synchronous or asynchronous operations.

Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low cost or lowcomplexity devices and may provide for automated communication betweenmachines (e.g., via Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication). M2Mcommunication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies thatallow devices to communicate with one another or a base station 105without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTCmay include communications from devices that integrate sensors or metersto measure or capture information and relay such information to acentral server or application program that makes use of the informationor presents the information to humans interacting with the applicationprogram. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enableautomated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples ofapplications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventorymonitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcaremonitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological eventmonitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing,physical access control, and transaction-based business charging.

Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ operating modes that reducepower consumption, such as half-duplex communications (e.g., a mode thatsupports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but nottransmission and reception simultaneously). In some examples,half-duplex communications may be performed at a reduced peak rate.Other power conservation techniques for the UEs 115 include entering apower saving deep sleep mode when not engaging in active communications,operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowbandcommunications), or a combination of these techniques. For example, someUEs 115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol typethat is associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., set ofsubcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier, within aguard-band of a carrier, or outside of a carrier.

The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to supportultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or variouscombinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latencycommunications (URLLC) or mission critical communications. The UEs 115may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or criticalfunctions (e.g., mission critical functions). Ultra-reliablecommunications may include private communication or group communicationand may be supported by one or more mission critical services such asmission critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), mission critical video (MCVideo),or mission critical data (MCData). Support for mission criticalfunctions may include prioritization of services, and mission criticalservices may be used for public safety or general commercialapplications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, mission critical,and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

In some examples, a UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly withother UEs 115 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135(e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol). One or more UEs 115utilizing D2D communications may be within the geographic coverage area110 of a base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outsidethe geographic coverage area 110 of a base station 105 or be otherwiseunable to receive transmissions from a base station 105. In someexamples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications mayutilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits toevery other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, a base station 105facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In othercases, D2D communications are carried out between the UEs 115 withoutthe involvement of a base station 105.

In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 may be an example of acommunication channel, such as a sidelink communication channel, betweenvehicles (e.g., UEs 115). In some examples, vehicles may communicateusing vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, vehicle-to-vehicle(V2V) communications, or some combination of these. A vehicle may signalinformation related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather,safety, emergencies, or any other information relevant to a V2X system.In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadsideinfrastructure, such as roadside units, or with the network via one ormore network nodes (e.g., base stations 105) using vehicle-to-network(V2N) communications, or with both.

The core network 130 may provide user authentication, accessauthorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and otheraccess, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be anevolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC), which may include at leastone control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., amobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility managementfunction (AMF)) and at least one user plane entity that routes packetsor interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), aPacket Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function(UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS)functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management forthe UEs 115 served by the base stations 105 associated with the corenetwork 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user planeentity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as otherfunctions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 forone or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access tothe Internet, Intranet(s), an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or aPacket-Switched Streaming Service.

Some of the network devices, such as a base station 105, may includesubcomponents such as an access network entity 140, which may be anexample of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity140 may communicate with the UEs 115 through one or more other accessnetwork transmission entities 145, which may be referred to as radioheads, smart radio heads, or transmission/reception points (TRPs). Eachaccess network transmission entity 145 may include one or more antennapanels. In some configurations, various functions of each access networkentity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various networkdevices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs) or consolidated into a singlenetwork device (e.g., a base station 105).

The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or morefrequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known asthe ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because thewavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter inlength. The UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings andenvironmental features, but the waves may penetrate structuressufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 locatedindoors. The transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smallerantennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared totransmission using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the highfrequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrumbelow 300 MHz.

The wireless communications system 100 may also operate in a super highfrequency (SHF) region using frequency bands from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, alsoknown as the centimeter band, or in an extremely high frequency (EHF)region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz), also known as themillimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communications system100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UEs 115and the base stations 105, and EHF antennas of the respective devicesmay be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In someexamples, this may facilitate use of antenna arrays within a device. Thepropagation of EHF transmissions, however, may be subject to evengreater atmospheric attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHFtransmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed acrosstransmissions that use one or more different frequency regions, anddesignated use of bands across these frequency regions may differ bycountry or regulating body.

The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed andunlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wirelesscommunications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA),LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in anunlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical(ISM) band. When operating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands,devices such as the base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carriersensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples,operations in unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregationconfiguration in conjunction with component carriers operating in alicensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations in unlicensed spectrum may includedownlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2Dtransmissions, among other examples.

A base station 105 or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas,which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity,receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications,or beamforming. The antennas of a base station 105 or a UE 115 may belocated within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which maysupport MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example,one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located atan antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples,antennas or antenna arrays associated with a base station 105 may belocated in diverse geographic locations. A base station 105 may have anantenna array with a number of rows and columns of antenna ports thatthe base station 105 may use to support beamforming of communicationswith a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may have one or more antenna arraysthat may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally oralternatively, an antenna panel may support radio frequency beamformingfor a signal transmitted via an antenna port.

The base stations 105 or the UEs 115 may use MIMO communications toexploit multipath signal propagation and increase the spectralefficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via differentspatial layers. Such techniques may be referred to as spatialmultiplexing. The multiple signals may, for example, be transmitted bythe transmitting device via different antennas or different combinationsof antennas. Likewise, the multiple signals may be received by thereceiving device via different antennas or different combinations ofantennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separatespatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream(e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., differentcodewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with differentantenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMOtechniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), where multiple spatiallayers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multiple-userMIMO (MU-MIMO), where multiple spatial layers are transmitted tomultiple devices.

Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering,directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signalprocessing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or areceiving device (e.g., a base station 105, a UE 115) to shape or steeran antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatialpath between the transmitting device and the receiving device.Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated viaantenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagatingat particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experienceconstructive interference while others experience destructiveinterference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antennaelements may include a transmitting device or a receiving deviceapplying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carriedvia the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustmentsassociated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by abeamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g.,with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device orreceiving device, or with respect to some other orientation).

A base station 105 or a UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as partof beam forming operations. For example, a base station 105 may usemultiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to conductbeamforming operations for directional communications with a UE 115.Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beamselection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by abase station 105 multiple times in different directions. For example,the base station 105 may transmit a signal according to differentbeamforming weight sets associated with different directions oftransmission. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used toidentify (e.g., by a transmitting device, such as a base station 105, orby a receiving device, such as a UE 115) a beam direction for latertransmission or reception by the base station 105.

Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particularreceiving device, may be transmitted by a base station 105 in a singlebeam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device,such as a UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated withtransmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based on asignal that was transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example,a UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the basestation 105 in different directions and may report to the base station105 an indication of the signal that the UE 115 received with a highestsignal quality or an otherwise acceptable signal quality.

In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by a base station 105or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and thedevice may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequencybeamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from abase station 105 to a UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback thatindicates precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and thefeedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across a systembandwidth or one or more sub-bands. The base station 105 may transmit areference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), achannel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)), which may beprecoded or unprecoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beamselection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) orcodebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linearcombination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). Althoughthese techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted inone or more directions by a base station 105, a UE 115 may employsimilar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times in differentdirections (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequenttransmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal ina single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device).

A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115) may try multiple receiveconfigurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving varioussignals from the base station 105, such as synchronization signals,reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. Forexample, a receiving device may try multiple receive directions byreceiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing receivedsignals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving accordingto different receive beamforming weight sets (e.g., differentdirectional listening weight sets) applied to signals received atmultiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing receivedsignals according to different receive beamforming weight sets appliedto signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array,any of which may be referred to as “listening” according to differentreceive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, areceiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive alonga single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The singlereceive configuration may be aligned in a beam direction determinedbased on listening according to different receive configurationdirections (e.g., a beam direction determined to have a highest signalstrength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or otherwise acceptablesignal quality based on listening according to multiple beamdirections).

The wireless communications system 100 may be a packet-based networkthat operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane,communications at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may performpacket segmentation and reassembly to communicate over logical channels.A Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform priority handling andmultiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layermay also use error detection techniques, error correction techniques, orboth to support retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve linkefficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC)protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenanceof an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a base station 105 or a corenetwork 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. At thephysical layer, transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

The UEs 115 and the base stations 105 may support retransmissions ofdata to increase the likelihood that data is received successfully.Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is one technique forincreasing the likelihood that data is received correctly over acommunication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of errordetection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward errorcorrection (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request(ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in poor radioconditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, adevice may support same-slot HARQ feedback, where the device may provideHARQ feedback in a specific slot for data received in a previous symbolin the slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in asubsequent slot, or according to some other time interval.

Some wireless communications systems (for example, mmW or NR wirelesssystem), may support directional beamforming techniques to reducesignaling attenuation and pathloss associated with high frequencycommunications in higher bands. In some examples, the system mayimplement various paging techniques to identify a location of one ormore UE 115 with respect to a given network area, for example, an RNA. Apaging procedure may allow for routing communications (e.g., fordirecting an incoming call or transmitting data) between a UE 115 and abase station 105 of the RNA while the UE 115 is in an inactive or idlestate. In some cases, one or more base stations of the RNA may transmitpaging messages periodically to localize the UE within the RNA.

Since the spatial coverage of each narrow transmission beam may belimited, however, base stations 105 may transmit paging messages over anextensive set of narrow transmission beams, increasing signalingoverhead and system complexity. In such examples of beamformed systems,coarse localization of the UE 115 to an area of the RNA usingconventional paging techniques may be inefficient.

To maintain a valid beam pairing between the UE 115 and a base station105 located in the RNA, the network may attempt to maintain up-to-datelocation information for the UE 115 by periodically determining thelocation the UE 115 using a low-power transponding mechanism. In suchcases, the transponding mechanism may allow for frequent localizationupdating of the UE 115 such that each time paging occurs, a base stationmay identify a relative location or a last known beam of the UE in theRNA. For example, the UE 115 may receive transponder search signalswhile in an inactive state and between paging attempts from one or moreof the base stations in the RNA. The UE 115 may respond using a lowpower transponder response message, which may allow for relativelocalization of the UE in the RNA by a base station that may use thetransponder response message to conduct various location measurementsfor the UE 115. Based on localizing the UE 115 using transponderoccasions, subsequent paging attempts may be simplified because thenetwork may have a more accurate sense of where the UE 115 is located,thus reducing the number of paging attempts needed by the network tolocate the UE.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 200that supports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples,wireless communications system 200 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications system 100. For example, the wireless communicationssystem 200 may include base stations 105 (e.g., base stations 105-a,105-b, and a number of other base stations 105) and UE 115-a, which maybe examples of base stations 105 and a UE 115 as described withreference to FIG. 1. Base stations 105 may serve a number of cells orgeographic coverage areas, and may be associated with a same RNA 205.

Wireless communications system 200 (which may be an example of a mmW orNR wireless system), may support directional beamforming techniques toreduce signaling attenuation and pathloss associated with high frequencycommunications in higher bands. In some examples, the network mayimplement paging techniques to identify a location of UEs associatedwith an area of the network, for example, a location of the UE 115-aassociated with an RNA 205 served by base stations 105. The pagingprocedure may allow for routing communications (e.g., for directing anincoming call or initializing transmission of data) between the UE 115-aand a base station of the RNA while the UE 115-a is in an inactive oridle state. In some cases, base stations 105 may broadcast pagingmessages periodically to determine the location of UE 115-a within agiven network area. Since the spatial coverage of each transmission beammay be limited (e.g., due to narrow beams used in a mmW system),however, base stations may transmit paging messages over an extensiveset of narrow transmission beams.

In such examples of beamformed systems, coarse localization of the UE115-a to an area of the RNA using conventional paging techniques may beinefficient. For example, in some cases, a beam association that the UE115-a identifies during a first paging occasion (e.g., a beamassociation associated with beam 210) may no longer be relevant (e.g.,based on UE movement, pathloss, changing system conditions, etc.) by thetime a second paging occasion occurs. The UE 115-a may then initiate abeam sweep of receive beams to determine a valid beam association,increasing delay between paging and response, and further increasingsystem latency.

To maintain a valid beam pairing between the UE 115-a and a base station105 located in the RNA, the network may attempt to maintain up to datelocation information for the UE. Keeping location information updated,however, may include repetitive paging attempts. Because each pagingattempt may involve the UE coming out of a low-power state such as idleto a connected mode to respond to the paging, increased paging frequencymay reduce the ability of the UE 115-a to remain in a low-power state,thus reducing battery performance.

To increase network efficiency and reduce repetitive paging attempts,the wireless communications system 200 may employ techniques fordetermining a location of the UE 115-a using a low power transpondingmechanism. In such cases, the transponding may allow for frequentlocalization updating of the UE 115-a such that each time paging occurs,a base station 105 may have more accurate location information for theUE 115-a in the RNA.

The UE 115-a may receive a transponder search signal while in aninactive state and between paging attempts from one or more of the basestations in the RNA. In some cases, the UE 115-a may monitor one or moresynchronization signal blocks (SSBs) to receive transponder searchsignals while in the inactive state. The UE 115-a may update the cell orbeam on which it camps (e.g., the cell or beam with which the UE 115-areceives the transponder search signal) to a different cell or beam(e.g., an updated cell or beam with higher communications quality)without necessarily notifying the RNA of such an update. The UE 115-amay, however, utilize the updated cell or beam to monitor futuretransponder signals. The RNA of the UE may be updated by the networkwhen the UE 115-a transmits a paging or transponder response message onthe updated cell or beam from which it received the transponder searchsignal.

The UE may respond using a low power transponder response message (e.g.,which may be on the same beam or a different beam than the beam that theUE 115-a received the transponder search signal) which may allow forrelative localization of the UE 115-a in the RNA, as the base stationmay use the transponder response message to conduct various locationmeasurements for the UE (e.g., RTT measurements, AoA measurements). Insome examples, the UE 115-a may include an analog-front-end, adigital-front-end, and a baseband processor. The analog-front-end mayinclude analog components for transmitting and receiving signals frombase stations 105. For example, the analog-front-end may include mixers,filters, amplifiers, and the like. The digital-front-end may includecomponents for converting signals between the analog and digital domains(e.g., analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters,digital filters, and the like). The baseband processor may includecomponents for performing modulation, encoding, demodulation, anddecoding of signals received via a physical channel such as a PDCCH,PDSCH, PUCCH, or PUSCH. For example, the baseband processor may performoperations such as DFT/Inverse DFT (IDFT), symbol mapping/demapping, andthe like for signals communicated using OFDM or DFT-s-OFDM waveforms. Insome examples, the transponder search and transponder response messagesmay be transmitted or received by the UE 115-a using limited or noprocessing using the baseband processor. For example, a transpondersearch message may be received and processed using the analog-front-endand digital-front-end using correlation or other analog or digitalprocessing techniques that do not employ one or more of DFT/IDFT,modulation, encoding, demodulation, or decoding.

Localization processes, including location management using transpondingtechniques described herein, along with radio access network (RAN)paging, may allow for the UE 115-a in a relatively low-power state(e.g., an RRC inactive state) to move around in the RNA 205 withoutfrequently transitioning back to a higher power state such as aconnected state. While in a low-power or RRC inactive state, both the UE115-a and base stations 105 store information about the UE transitionfrom a connected state to an inactive state, in addition to the contextof the UE (e.g., radio protocol information). The RRC_INACTIVE state isan intermediate state between an idle state (RRC_IDLE) and a connectedstate (RRC CONNECTED). The RRC_INACTIVE state allows the UE 115-a toefficiently return to either connected or idle states by maintainingcontext information of a recent connection to reduce time and powerconsumption for reconnection to the network. In RRC_INACTIVE, the UE115-a is registered with the network, via a registration managementstate RM-REGISTERED (e.g., the UE may be registered with a core networksuch as 5GC, where a serving access and mobility management function(AMF) and session management function (SMF) are allocated, an IP addressallocated, and protocol data unit (PDU) session may be established forthe UE).

The UE 115-a is further connected to the network via a connectionmanagement state CM-CONNECTED (e.g., the connected state may supportnon-access stratum (NAS) signaling and quality of service (QoS) flowsamong other paging triggers, and user plane activation). The UE 115-amay establish a connection with the network (e.g., a 5GC-NG-RANconnection for the user plane (UP) and the control plane (CP), using theprevious connection configuration (e.g., the UE has context in stored inthe NG-RAN and in the UE), or the UE 115-a may connect to the networkusing a different connection configuration.

In some examples, the RRC_INACTIVE state may be characterized by the useof the RNA 205, for example, the UE 115-a may receive a list of one ormore serving base stations 105 or serving cells that constitute the RNAwhen it transitions to an inactive state. The UE 115-a may additionallyor alternatively receive a list of configured RNAs that the UE 115-a mayestablish a connection with, where each RNA may be contained within thecore network (CN) registration area and may be configured to support Xnconnectivity (e.g., connection via the Xn interface may enable the UE115-a to retrieve the context of the last serving base station). Whilein RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE 115-a may perform an RNA update (RNAU)procedure periodically or when the UE 115-a moves out of a configuredRNA. For example, when a cell reselection is performed, the UE 115-aidentifies an RNA for connection, and if the current RNA is differentfrom the last RNA that the configured for the UE 115-a, then the UE115-a may perform an RNAU.

In some examples, the UE 115-a may transition from an RRC_INACTIVE stateto an RRC CONNECTED state based on receiving a paging signal on adownlink (DL) user plane, DL signaling from one or more base stations105 of the RNA, etc. In some examples, paging is triggered by the lastserving base station which has a stored context of the UE 115-a, or byother base stations (e.g., using paging messages communicated over an Xninterface). While in an RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE 115-a may identifypaging messages that are associated with the inactive state or the RNA.For example, the UE 115-a may listen for messages associated with theRNA 205. Similarly, the UE 115-a may be allocated a specific identifierfor communications within the RNA 205 and associated with theRRC_INACTIVE state. For example, the UE 115-a may be allocated aninactive state radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) (e.g., anI-RNTI) via an RRC release message (e.g., when the UE 115-a transitionsto an inactive state and receives the RRC message includingSuspendConfig IE).

In some examples, the network may employ techniques to determine therelative location of the UE 115-a in RRC_INACTIVE state to reduceexcessive paging attempts by the network. The network may use atransponding mechanism used to determine location information for the UE115-a to supplement the UEs location information between pagingattempts. Such updated location information for the UE 115-a may in somecases allow paging to be transmitted by single cell, or with a reducedset of beams (e.g., the network may identify the relative location ofthe UE 115-a before paging using the transponding mechanism, and may usefewer paging attempts over fewer beams to locate and page the UE 115-a).

The UE 115-a may initially be in a connected state (e.g., RRC CONNECTEDstate) and connected to base station 105-a of the RNA 205. The UE 115-amay then transition to an inactive state (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE state). Thelast known beam for UE 115-a may thus be a beam 210 of base station105-a. In the inactive state, the UE 115-a may listen for a number ofsynchronization signals transmitted by base stations 105 of the RNA. TheUE 115-a may determine a “best” beam (e.g., a beam associated with highRSRP, SINR, etc.) associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB)transmitted by base station 105-a, and may select the beam forcommunications with the network. For example, at a first time, the UE115-a may continue to select beam 210 associated with the base station105-a. In some cases, however, the UE 115-a may change locations withinthe RNA 205 while in an inactive state, or network conditions may changesuch that beam 210 may no longer be valid for communication with the UE115-a. Rather, the UE may determine a different beam to monitorassociated with a different base station of the RNA (e.g., beam 215).

In some examples, the UE 115-a may switch reception of the transpondersignals from beam 210 to beam 215 while operating in the inactive state.In some cases, the UE 115-a may switch beams while in the inactive stateand may notify the RNA of the beam switch at the next transpondingoccasion or paging occasion, where the UE 115-a may respond to the RNAusing the updated beam. Thus, response from the UE 115-a on a differentbeam 215 (e.g., different from the beam 210 in which the UE 115-areceived the transponder search signal) may implicitly notify the RNA ofthe beam switch performed by the UE 115-a while in an idle mode.

The network may support localization of the UE 115-a using transponderoccasions in addition to paging occasions. During a transponderoccasion, the base stations 105 may transmit one or more transpondersearch signals to determine a relative location of the UE 115-a. The UE115-a may listen for transponder search signals for a signal associatedwith beam 215 (e.g., a determined best beam), and may respond to thebase station 105-b with a transponder response signal 220. The network(e.g., base station 105-a, base station 105-b, or a network entitycoupled with base stations 105-a and 105-b) may update the last knowncell of the UE 115-a (e.g., from a cell served by base station 105-a toa cell served by base station 105-b) based on receiving the transponderresponse 220, and the base station 105-b may perform measurements todetermine a relative location of the UE 115-a based on the receivedtransponder response. For example, the base station 105-b may use adetermination of RTT or AoA of the transponder response 220 to determinea distance from the base station 105-b to the UE 115-a. Additionally oralternatively, the base station 105-b may use a direction and range ofthe transponder response signal to determine the location of the UE115-a. Based on determining the relative location of the UE 115-a usingthe transponding mechanism, subsequent paging attempts may be simplified(e.g., the network may transmit paging attempts on beams associated withbase station 105-b, thus reducing the number of beams used fortransmitting paging signals).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a transponding procedure 300 thatsupports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples,transponding procedure 300 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications system 100. For example, transponding procedure 300 mayinclude base stations 105 (e.g., base stations 105-c, 105-d, and 105-d)and UE 115-a, which may be examples of base stations 105 and a UE 115 asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Base stations 105 may serve anumber of cells or geographic coverage areas, and may be associated witha same RNA.

The transponding procedure described with reference to FIG. 3 mayinclude a number of paging occasions configured according to a pagingperiodicity 305, and a number of transponding occasions 308 configuredaccording to a transponding periodicity 310. In some examples, thetransponding periodicity may be longer than the paging periodicity toreduce standby battery consumption by the UE 115-b. In some examples,the periodicities may be adjusted based on a mobility profile of the UE115-b.

The transponding procedure 300 may allow for localization of UE 115-bwhile the UE 115-b is in an inactive state (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE state),and may allow for the UE 115-b to update a last known cell or beam suchthat the network may maintain updated location information for the UE115-b to reduce excessive paging attempts. In addition, the transpondingprocedure may reduce the number of RNA updates or periodiccommunications establishment procedures (e.g., RACH) the UE 115-b mayperform while connected with the RNA.

In a first communications establishment process, the UE 115-b may beconnected (e.g., in a connected state) with base station 105-e, whichmay serve a first cell of the RNA, and the UE 115-b may storeinformation for the cell or selected beam associated with the basestation 105-e as a “last known cell” or beam for ongoing communications.Subsequently, the UE 115-b may transition to the inactive state (e.g.,RRC_INACTIVE state). The UE 115-b may perform beam measurementprocedures during the inactive state to determine a cell with which toconnect (e.g., the UE 115-b may periodically wake up and measure theSSBs for cells associated with base stations 105-c, 105-d, and 105-e inthe RNA to find the best beam).

In some examples, after monitoring the cell associated with base station105-e, the UE 115-b may change locations in the RNA, or may experiencechanging channel conditions such that the UE 115-b may determine adifferent cell (e.g., a cell associated with base station 105-c) tomonitor based on performing a search and measure procedure.

The UE 115-b may receive transponder search signals 315-a, 315-b, and315-c associated with base stations 105-c, 105-d, and 105-e,respectively, at the first transponder occasion 308-a. Based onidentifying a beam associated with base station 105-c (e.g., detectingtransponder search signals 315-a as a strongest signal), the UE 115-bmay transmit a transponder response message 320 to the base station105-c. Based on transmitting the transponder response message 320 to thebase station 105-c, the UE 115-b may update its last known cell from thecell associated with base station 105-e to the cell associated with basestation 105-c. In addition, the RNA associated with base stations 105-c,105-d, 105-e may update the last known cell/beam for the UE 115-b. Eachbase station 105 of the RNA may also update its individual last knownbeam for the UE 115-b based on receiving the transponder responsemessage 320, or via an indication of the location of UE 115-b providedby a different base station 105 that received transponder responsemessage 320. In some examples, the UE 115-b may switch beams betweentransmissions of transponder response messages. In such cases, the UE115-b may switch beams without explicitly notifying the RNA of theswitch, but rather may switch beams in the inactive mode. The UE 115-bmay transmit a transponder response message using the different beamthan the beam used to receive the transponder search message, which maynotify the RNA that the UE 115-b has switched from its last known cellor beam in between transponding occasions.

Similarly, after monitoring the cell associated with base station 105-c,the UE 115-b may again change locations in the RNA, or may experienceadditional changing channel conditions such that the UE 115-b maydetermine a different cell (e.g., a cell associated with base station105-d) to monitor based on performing beam measurement procedures (e.g.,measurements of SSBs of base stations 105 of the RNA).

The UE 115-b may receive transponder search signals 325-a, 325-b, and325-c associated with base stations 105-c, 105-d, and 105-e,respectively, at the second transponder occasion 308-b. Based onidentifying a beam associated with base station 105-d, the UE 115-b maytransmit a transponder response message 330 to the base station 105-d.Based on transmitting the transponder response message to the basestation 105-d, the UE 115-b may update its last know cell from the cellassociated with base station 105-c to the cell associated with basestation 105-d. During transponder occasions, the base station whichreceives a transponder response message may determine a relativelocation of the UE 115-b using a number of measurements (e.g., RTTmeasurements, AoA measurements of the transponder response message,etc.).

Based on determining the location of the UE 115-b using the transpondingprocedure, the base station 105-d may transmit a paging signal 335 tothe UE 115-b using the last known beam identified by the UE 115-b duringthe second transponding occasion. By localizing the UE 115-b using thetransponding procedure, the paging procedure may be simplified (e.g.,base stations 105-c and 105-e may not transmit paging signals during thepaging occasion based on the determined location of the UE and theassociation of the UE 115-b with the base station 105-d).

The transponder search signals 315 and 325 may have a number ofdifferent characteristics associated with transponding procedures in thewireless network. For example, transponder search signals may bedifferent based on associated RNAs (e.g., each RNA may have anRNA-specific transponder search signal). The transponder search signalsmay be optimized for pattern detection with analog circuitry of the UE115-b or minimal digital front end processing (for example, the UE 115-bmay receive the transponder search message without baseband processing,or using relatively minimal baseband processing). In some cases, the UE115-b may identify the transponder search message using a correlationproperty of the signal or using a match filter. The transponder searchsignal may further be associated with low power consumption and shortwakeup of the UE 115-b. In some examples, the transponder search messagemay be detected at instances where the network is experiencing poor SNRconditions or time and frequency misalignment, among other signalingchallenges.

Transponder response signals 320 and 330 may be transmitted in responseto receiving one or more transponder search messages. Each transponderresponse message may carry a UE specific signature such as an inactivestate-specific RNTI (e.g., I-RNTI) which may be configured as part ofINACTIVE RRC state transition (e.g.,RRCRelease-IEs::SuspendConfig::fullI-RNTI). The transponder responsemessage may be optimized for pattern detection with analog circuitry andminimal digital front-end processing. For example, a base station 105may not implement extensive digital processing (e.g., digital basebandprocessing such as DFT/IDFT) to interpret the transponder responsemessage. In some examples, the transponder response message may betransmitted with the UE in a low-power mode such as a sleep mode (e.g.,a baseband processor may be in a sleep mode or have a power supplydisabled). For example, the signal may be transmitted directly from thedigital front end, and may implement minimal D/A settings duringRRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE). In addition, the transponder response signalmay have a multiplexing (e.g., code division multiplexing) capability tosupport multiple UEs responding simultaneously.

In addition to the UE-specific identifier (e.g., I-RNTI), thetransponder response signal may include additional informationassociated with the UE 115-b. For example, the transponder responsesignal may include one or more optional data fields (e.g., data fieldsthat the UE 115-b may determine to use based on a number of UE-specificmeasurements). In some examples, the data fields may indicatemeasurements of UE transmission power level, GPS time signatures or lastknown network time, frequency and timing lock status, battery status forthe UE, operating temperature of the UE, a time since last userinteraction, among other telemetries. In some cases, the UE 115-b mayinclude measurements specific to the UE (e.g., measurements that may notbe obtained using active measurements of the outside signalenvironment).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a process flow 400 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process flow400 may implement aspects of wireless communications system 100. Theprocess flow 400 includes UE 115-c and base station 105-f (e.g., whichmay be examples of the corresponding devices described with reference toFIGS. 1-3). Alternative examples of the following may be implemented,where some steps are performed in a different order than described orare not performed at all. In some cases, steps may include additionalfeatures not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. Inaddition, while process flow 400 shows processes between base station105-f and a single UE 115-c, it should be understood that theseprocesses may occur between any number of network devices.

At 405, the UE 115-c may transition from a connected state to aninactive state (e.g., the UE may transition from RRC CONNECTED toRRC_INACTIVE). The UE 115-c may store information such as the context ofbase station 105-f before transitioning to the inactive state.

At 410, the UE 115-c may monitor a first beam associated with an RNAassociated with the base station 105-f during a first transponderoccasion of the inactive state. In some examples, the UE 115-c mayselect the first beam for monitoring from a set of beams of the RNAbased on determining that the first beam is a “best” beam for monitoringat a first time (e.g., the first beam is associated with a highestsignal strength, beam quality, or other metrics). The first beam may betransmitted by the base station 105-f, which may be a serving basestation for one or more cells of the RNA.

At 415, the base station 105-f may transmit a transponder search signalto the UE 115-c, and the UE 115-c receives the transponder signal inaccordance with a first propagation delay T_prop. The transponder searchsignal may include a first identifier associated with the RNA. In someexamples, the UE 115-c may identify a first periodicity for receivingtransponder search messages during a one or more transponder occasions,and may monitor the first beam in accordance with the periodicity (e.g.,the UE 115-c may monitor the first beam during a second transponderoccasion of the inactive state in accordance with the firstperiodicity). In some examples, the first periodicity for receivingtransponder search messages may be longer than a second periodicity forreceiving paging messages from the network. In some other examples, thefirst periodicity may be based on a mobility profile of the UE 115-c, apower consumption of the UE 115-c, or both.

In some examples, the UE 115-c may identify the transponder searchmessage based on a correlation property of the transponder searchsignal, which may allow for detection of the transponder search messageusing an analog correlation circuit of the UE 115-c (e.g., using minimalbaseband circuitry). In some cases, the base station 105-f may transmitthe transponder search message using a beam identified in a previouscommunication with the UE 115-c or based on a last known location of theUE 115-c. In some examples, the UE 115-c may implement a wake-upreceiver to receive the transponder search message, and the wake-upreceive may trigger a predefined response sequence as a transponderresponse message, which may include a UE-specific ID and other metrics.For example, the wake-up receiver may be a lower power for receivinglimited-complexity signaling (e.g., a transponder), and the UE 115-c mayreceive, during the first transponder occasion, the one or moretransponder search messages at the wake-up receiver of the UE 115-c.

At 420, the UE 115-c may transmit a transponder response message thatincludes an identifier associated with the UE. For example, theidentifier may be a UE-specific identifier that is associated with theinactive state (e.g., an I-RNTI). In some examples, the UE 115-c maydetermine a transmission beam based on performing a beam sweep of anumber of receive beams during transmission of the transponder searchmessage.

The UE 115-c may transmit the transponder response in accordance with agap period T_gap following the reception of the preamble of thetransponder search message. In some cases, the UE 115-c may transmit thetransponder response at a slot boundary. For example, the UE 115-c in aninactive state may not be uplink synchronized, and may transmit thetransponder response message on a slot boundary of the receivedtransponder search messages. The UE 115-c may transmit the transponderresponse message in the direction of the best or last known base stationbeam associated with the base station 105-f.

In some examples, the transponder response signal may include additionalinformation associated with the UE 115-c such as one or more data fieldsthat may indicate measurements of transmission power levels, GPS timesignatures or last known network time, frequency and timing lock status,battery status for the UE 115-c, operating temperature of the UE 115-c,a time since last user interaction, or any combination thereof.

In some examples, the UE 115-c may identify a second beam associatedwith a second base station of the RNA subsequent to the firsttransponder occasion and prior to a second transponder occasion. Forexample, the UE 115-c may listen for beam swept SSBs transmitted as partof periodic beam sweeps performed by the first base station 105-f andthe second base station, and may determine a best beam based oncomparing one or more measurements of beams transmitted by the first andsecond base stations. The UE 115-c may identify a transponder searchmessage associated with the second beam during the second transponderoccasion, and the UE 115-c may transmit a transponder response messageto the second base station during the second transponder occasion. Insome examples, the UE 115-c may update its last known cell based ontransmitting the transponder response message during the secondtransponder occasion. In addition, the first base station 105-f andsecond base station may update the last known beams for the UE 115-c.

At 425, the base station 105-f may identify the inactive state of the UE115-c, and may receive the transponder response signal in accordancewith a second propagation delay T_prop. In some examples, the basestation 105-f may be associated with a cell group (e.g., one or morecells of the RNA), and each of the base stations may listen for the UEtransponder response message. The base station 105-f may identify thetransponder response message using the I-RNTI associated with the UE115-c. In some examples, the base station 105-f may receive a number ofmultiplexed transponder response messages from a number of different UEs(e.g., over the same time-frequency resources), where each transponderresponse message is associated with a different I-RNTI associated witheach UE.

At 425, the base station 105-f may perform a number of measurements todetermine a relative location of the UE 115-c based on receiving thetransponder response message. For example, the base station 105-f maydetermine an AoA for the transponder response message based on a receivebeam at the base station 105-f used to receive the transponder responsemessage. The base station 105-f may use the determined AoA to identify arelative direction of the UE 115-c with respect to the base station105-f based on the AoA.

The base station 105-f may further determine an RTT between transmittingthe one or more transponder search messages and receiving the firsttransponder response message from the UE 115-c. For example, the basestation may calculate RTT in accordance with:(RTT=T_tx−T_rx−T_gap)=2×T_prop. The base station 105-c may use thecalculated RTT to determine a relative distance of the UE with respectto the base station 105-c.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram 500 of a device 505 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The device 505 may be an exampleof aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. The device 505 may include areceiver 510, a communications manager 515, and a transmitter 520. Thedevice 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may bein communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 510 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to transpondersignaling for localization on higher bands, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 505. The receiver 510 may bean example of aspects of the transceiver 820 described with reference toFIG. 8. The receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a set ofantennas.

The communications manager 515 may identify a transition of the UE froma connected state to an inactive state, monitor a first beam during afirst transponder occasion of the inactive state, where the first beamis associated with a base station of a notification area, receive,during the first transponder occasion, one or more transponder searchmessages that include a first identifier associated with thenotification area, and transmit, to the base station, a firsttransponder response message including a second identifier associatedwith the UE. The communications manager 515 may be an example of aspectsof the communications manager 810 described herein.

The communications manager 515, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 515, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described in the present disclosure.

The communications manager 515, or its sub-components, may be physicallylocated at various positions, including being distributed such thatportions of functions are implemented at different physical locations byone or more physical components. In some examples, the communicationsmanager 515, or its sub-components, may be a separate and distinctcomponent in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.In some examples, the communications manager 515, or its sub-components,may be combined with one or more other hardware components, includingbut not limited to an input/output (I/O) component, a transceiver, anetwork server, another computing device, one or more other componentsdescribed in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The transmitter 520 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 505. In some examples, the transmitter 520 may becollocated with a receiver 510 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 520 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 820described with reference to FIG. 8. The transmitter 520 may utilize asingle antenna or a set of antennas.

In some examples, communications manager 515 may be implemented as anintegrated circuit or chipset for a mobile device modem, and thereceiver 510 and transmitter 520 may be implemented as analog components(e.g., amplifiers, filters, and antennas) coupled with the mobile devicemodem to enable wireless transmission and reception.

The communications manager 515 as described herein may be implemented torealize one or more potential advantages. At least one implementationmay enable communications manager 515 to effectively transmit andreceive messages associated with a low power transponding mechanism forlocalizing the device 505 within a wireless communications network. Insome other implementations, the communications manager 515 may update alast known cell or beam for the device 505 based on the transponding.

Based on implementing the techniques as described herein, one or moreprocessors of the device 505 (e.g., processor(s) controlling orincorporated with one or more of receiver 510, communications manager515, and transmitter 520) may effectively improve battery life of thedevice 505 by increasing the time that the device is in a low-power mode(e.g., an idle or inactive mode). In some other examples, the techniquesdescribed may reduce system overhead and complexity by reducing thenumber of repetitive paging attempts to localize devices in the network.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The device 605 may be an exampleof aspects of a device 505, or a UE 115 as described herein. The device605 may include a receiver 610, a communications manager 615, and atransmitter 640. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each ofthese components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via oneor more buses).

The receiver 610 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to transpondersignaling for localization on higher bands, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may bean example of aspects of the transceiver 820 described with reference toFIG. 8. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set ofantennas.

The communications manager 615 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 515 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 615 may include an inactive state component 620, a transponderoccasion monitoring component 625, a transponder search receiver 630,and a transponder response transmitter 635. The communications manager615 may be an example of aspects of the communications manager 810described herein.

The inactive state component 620 may identify a transition of the UEfrom a connected state to an inactive state.

The transponder occasion monitoring component 625 may monitor a firstbeam during a first transponder occasion of the inactive state, wherethe first beam is associated with a base station of a notification area.

The transponder search receiver 630 may receive, during the firsttransponder occasion, one or more transponder search messages thatinclude a first identifier associated with the notification area.

The transponder response transmitter 635 may transmit, to the basestation, a first transponder response message including a secondidentifier associated with the UE.

The transmitter 640 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 605. In some examples, the transmitter 640 may becollocated with a receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 640 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 820described with reference to FIG. 8. The transmitter 640 may utilize asingle antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a communications manager 705 thatsupports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communicationsmanager 705 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager515, a communications manager 615, or a communications manager 810described herein. The communications manager 705 may include an inactivestate component 710, a transponder occasion monitoring component 715, atransponder search receiver 720, a transponder response transmitter 725,a beam measurement component 730, a paging occasion monitoring component735, an I-RNTI component 740, and a beam sweeping component 745. Each ofthese modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another(e.g., via one or more buses).

The inactive state component 710 may identify a transition of the UEfrom a connected state to an inactive state.

The transponder occasion monitoring component 715 may monitor a firstbeam during a first transponder occasion of the inactive state, wherethe first beam is associated with a base station of a notification area.In some examples, the transponder occasion monitoring component 715 mayidentify a second beam associated with a second base station of thenotification area subsequent to the first transponder occasion and priorto a second transponder occasion.

In some examples, the transponder occasion monitoring component 715 mayidentify a first periodicity for receiving the one or more transpondersearch messages during a set of transponder occasions associated withthe notification area. In some cases, the first periodicity is based ona mobility profile of the UE, power consumption of the UE, or both.

In some examples, the transponder occasion monitoring component 715 maydetect the one or more transponder search messages based on acorrelation property. The transponder search receiver 720 may receive,during the first transponder occasion, one or more transponder searchmessages that include a first identifier associated with thenotification area. In some examples, the transponder search receiver 720may receive, during the second transponder occasion, a second one ormore transponder search messages including the first identifier.

In some examples, the transponder search receiver 720 may receive,during the first transponder occasion, the one or more transpondersearch messages at the second receiver of the UE.

In some examples, the transponder response transmitter 725 may transmitthe first transponder response message in response to detecting the oneor more transponder search messages. In some examples, the firsttransponder response message may include a one or more data fields forindicating one or more measurements associated with the UE, the one ormore measurements comprising a UE transmission power level, timingparameters, battery status of the UE, user interaction history,operating temperature, or any combination thereof. In some examples, thefirst transponder response message may include one or more data fieldsfor indicating one or more measurements associated with the UE, the oneor more measurements comprising a UE transmission power level, timingparameters, battery status of the UE, user interaction history,operating temperature, or any combination thereof. In some examples, thetransponder response transmitter 725 may determine a slot boundary basedon the one or more transponder search messages. In some examples, thetransponder response transmitter 725 may transmit the first transponderresponse message at the slot boundary.

In some examples, the transponder response transmitter 725 may transmitthe first transponder response message at a predetermined time offsetfrom the one or more transponder search messages in response toreceiving the one or more transponder search messages. The beammeasurement component 730 may compare the first beam and the second beambased on one or more beam measurements of beam sweep signals transmittedby the first base station and the second base station.

The beam sweeping component 745 may perform a beam sweep of a set ofreceive beams during transmission of the one or more transponder searchmessages. In some examples, the beam measurement component 730 mayselect a transmission beam for transmitting the first transponderresponse message based on the performing the beam sweep.

In some examples, the paging occasion monitoring component 735 maymonitor for paging messages during the set of paging occasions accordingto the first beam. In some examples, the transponder occasion monitoringcomponent 715 may monitor the first beam during a second transponderoccasion of the inactive state in accordance with a first periodicity.The paging occasion monitoring component 735 may identify a secondperiodicity for receiving one or more paging messages during a set ofpaging occasions, where the second periodicity for receiving the one ormore paging messages is shorter than the first periodicity for receivingthe one or more transponder search messages.

The transponder response transmitter 725 may transmit, to the basestation, a first transponder response message including a secondidentifier associated with the UE. The I-RNTI component 740 maydetermine that the second identifier of the first transponder responsemessage includes a radio network temporary identifier associated withthe inactive state of the UE. In some examples, the transponder responsetransmitter 725 may transmit, to the second base station, a secondtransponder response message including the second identifier.

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a system 800 including a device 805 thatsupports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 may bean example of or include the components of device 505, device 605, or aUE 115 as described herein. The device 805 may include components forbi-directional voice and data communications including components fortransmitting and receiving communications, including a communicationsmanager 810, an I/O controller 815, a transceiver 820, an antenna 825,memory 830, and a processor 840. These components may be in electroniccommunication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 845).

The communications manager 810 may identify a transition of the UE froma connected state to an inactive state, monitor a first beam during afirst transponder occasion of the inactive state, where the first beamis associated with a base station of a notification area, receive,during the first transponder occasion, one or more transponder searchmessages that include a first identifier associated with thenotification area, and transmit, to the base station, a firsttransponder response message including a second identifier associatedwith the UE.

The I/O controller 815 may manage input and output signals for thedevice 805. The I/O controller 815 may also manage peripherals notintegrated into the device 805. In some cases, the I/O controller 815may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral.In some cases, the I/O controller 815 may utilize an operating systemsuch as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, oranother known operating system. In other cases, the I/O controller 815may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, atouchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I/O controller 815may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user mayinteract with the device 805 via the I/O controller 815 or via hardwarecomponents controlled by the I/O controller 815.

The transceiver 820 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described above. For example, thetransceiver 820 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicatebi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 820may also include a modem to modulate the packets and provide themodulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and to demodulatepackets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 825.However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna 825,which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiplewireless transmissions.

The memory 830 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 830 may storecomputer-readable, computer-executable code 835 including instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor to perform various functionsdescribed herein. In some cases, the memory 830 may contain, among otherthings, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operationsuch as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The processor 840 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, anFPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In some cases, the processor 840 may be configured to operate a memoryarray using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller maybe integrated into the processor 840. The processor 840 may beconfigured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory(e.g., the memory 830) to cause the device 805 to perform variousfunctions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting transponder signaling forlocalization on higher bands).

The code 835 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 835 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 835 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 840 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a device 905 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an exampleof aspects of a base station 105 as described herein. The device 905 mayinclude a receiver 910, a communications manager 915, and a transmitter920. The device 905 may also include a processor. Each of thesecomponents may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one ormore buses).

The receiver 910 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to transpondersignaling for localization on higher bands, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may bean example of aspects of the transceiver 1220 described with referenceto FIG. 12. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a set ofantennas.

The communications manager 915 may identify a transition of a UE from aconnected state to an inactive state, transmit, during a firsttransponder occasion, a transponder search message that includes anidentifier associated with a notification area of the base station via afirst beam, receive a first transponder response message including asecond identifier associated with the UE, and determine a location ofthe UE based on the first transponder response message. Thecommunications manager 915 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1210 described herein.

The communications manager 915, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 915, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described in the present disclosure.

The communications manager 915, or its sub-components, may be physicallylocated at various positions, including being distributed such thatportions of functions are implemented at different physical locations byone or more physical components. In some examples, the communicationsmanager 915, or its sub-components, may be a separate and distinctcomponent in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.In some examples, the communications manager 915, or its sub-components,may be combined with one or more other hardware components, includingbut not limited to an input/output (I/O) component, a transceiver, anetwork server, another computing device, one or more other componentsdescribed in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The transmitter 920 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 905. In some examples, the transmitter 920 may becollocated with a receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 920 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 1220described with reference to FIG. 12. The transmitter 920 may utilize asingle antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1005 may be anexample of aspects of a device 905, or a base station 105 as describedherein. The device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a communicationsmanager 1015, and a transmitter 1040. The device 1005 may also include aprocessor. Each of these components may be in communication with oneanother (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 1010 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to transpondersignaling for localization on higher bands, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 maybe an example of aspects of the transceiver 1220 described withreference to FIG. 12. The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna ora set of antennas.

The communications manager 1015 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 915 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 1015 may include an inactive state identification component1020, a transponder search transmitter 1025, a transponder responsereceiver 1030, and a localization component 1035. The communicationsmanager 1015 may be an example of aspects of the communications manager1210 described herein.

The inactive state identification component 1020 may identify atransition of a UE from a connected state to an inactive state.

The transponder search transmitter 1025 may transmit, during a firsttransponder occasion, a transponder search message that includes anidentifier associated with a notification area of the base station via afirst beam.

The transponder response receiver 1030 may receive a first transponderresponse message including a second identifier associated with the UE.

The localization component 1035 may determine a location of the UE basedon the first transponder response message.

The transmitter 1040 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 1005. In some examples, the transmitter 1040 may becollocated with a receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1040 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1220 described with reference to FIG. 12. The transmitter 1040 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

In some examples, communications manager 1015 may be implemented as anintegrated circuit or chipset for a mobile device modem, and thereceiver 1010 and transmitter 1020 may be implemented as analogcomponents (e.g., amplifiers, filters, and antennas) coupled with themobile device modem to enable wireless transmission and reception.

The communications manager 1015 as described herein may be implementedto realize one or more potential advantages. At least one implementationmay enable communications manager 1015 to effectively transmit andreceive messages associated with a low power transponding mechanism forlocalizing the device 1005 within a wireless communications network. Insome other implementations, the communications manager 1015 may update alast known cell or beam for the device 1005 based on the transponding,and may perform calculations to determine an up-to-date location of thedevice 1005.

Based on implementing the techniques as described herein, one or moreprocessors of the device 1005 (e.g., processor(s) controlling orincorporated with one or more of receiver 1010, communications manager1015, and transmitter 1020) may effectively improve battery life of thedevice 1005 by increasing the time that the device is in a low-powermode (e.g., an idle or inactive mode). In some other examples, thetechniques described may reduce system overhead and complexity byreducing the number of repetitive paging attempts to localize devices inthe network, among other advantages.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a communications manager 1105 thatsupports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communicationsmanager 1105 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager915, a communications manager 1015, or a communications manager 1210described herein. The communications manager 1105 may include aninactive state identification component 1110, a transponder searchtransmitter 1115, a transponder response receiver 1120, a localizationcomponent 1125, a transponder occasion identification component 1130, anAoA determination component 1135, a RTT determination component 1140, abeam measurement component 1145, and an I-RNTI component 1150. Each ofthese modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another(e.g., via one or more buses).

The inactive state identification component 1110 may identify atransition of a UE from a connected state to an inactive state.

The transponder search transmitter 1115 may transmit, during a firsttransponder occasion, a transponder search message that includes anidentifier associated with a notification area of the base station via afirst beam. In some cases, the transponder search message is associatedwith a correlation property for detection using an analog correlationcircuit.

The transponder response receiver 1120 may receive a first transponderresponse message including a second identifier associated with the UE.In some examples, the transponder response receiver 1120 may receive,during a first paging occasion, an indication of a location of the UEbased on the first transponder response message.

In some examples, the transponder response receiver 1120 may receive thefirst transponder response message multiplexed with one or more othertransponder response messages from one or more additional UEs based onthe radio network temporary identifier. In some examples, thetransponder response receiver 1120 may monitor for the first transponderresponse message at a predetermined offset from the transponder searchmessage.

The localization component 1125 may determine a location of the UE basedon the first transponder response message. In some examples, thetransponder search transmitter 1115 may transmit the transponder searchmessage in each of the set of transponder occasions accordance with afirst periodicity. In some examples, the transponder search transmitter1115 may transmit the one or more paging messages based on a secondperiodicity.

The transponder occasion identification component 1130 may identify afirst periodicity for a set of transponder occasions associated with thenotification area, the set of transponder occasions including the firsttransponder occasion. In some cases, the first periodicity is based on amobility profile of the UE, power consumption of the UE, or both.

In some examples, the transponder occasion identification component 1130may identify a second periodicity for transmitting one or more pagingmessages during a set of paging occasions, where the second periodicityfor transmitting the one or more paging messages is longer than thefirst periodicity for transmitting the one or more transponder searchmessages.

The AoA determination component 1135 may determine an angle of arrivalof a first beam associated with receiving the first transponder responsemessage. In some examples, the AoA determination component 1135 maydetermine a relative direction of the UE with respect to the basestation based on the angle of arrival of the first beam.

The RTT determination component 1140 may determine a round-trip timebetween transmitting the one or more transponder search messages andreceiving the first transponder response message. In some examples, theRTT determination component 1140 may determine a relative distance ofthe UE with respect to the base station based on the round-trip timing.

The beam measurement component 1145 may identify the first beam based ona prior communication with the UE. In some examples, the beammeasurement component 1145 may identify the first beam based on a priorcommunication of a second base station with the UE or a last knownlocation of the UE.

The I-RNTI component 1150 may determine that the second identifier ofthe first transponder response message includes a radio networktemporary identifier associated with the inactive state of the UE.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a system 1200 including a device 1205 thatsupports transponder signaling for localization on higher bands inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1205 maybe an example of or include the components of device 905, device 1005,or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1205 may includecomponents for bi-directional voice and data communications includingcomponents for transmitting and receiving communications, including acommunications manager 1210, a network communications manager 1215, atransceiver 1220, an antenna 1225, memory 1230, a processor 1240, and aninter-station communications manager 1245. These components may be inelectronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1250).

The communications manager 1210 may identify a transition of a UE from aconnected state to an inactive state, transmit, during a firsttransponder occasion, a transponder search message that includes anidentifier associated with a notification area of the base station via afirst beam, receive a first transponder response message including asecond identifier associated with the UE, and determine a location ofthe UE based on the first transponder response message.

The network communications manager 1215 may manage communications withthe core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). Forexample, the network communications manager 1215 may manage the transferof data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

The transceiver 1220 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described above. For example, thetransceiver 1220 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1220 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1225.However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna 1225,which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiplewireless transmissions.

The memory 1230 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Thememory 1230 may store computer-readable code 1235 including instructionsthat, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor 1240) cause thedevice to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, thememory 1230 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may controlbasic hardware or software operation such as the interaction withperipheral components or devices.

The processor 1240 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, anFPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In some cases, the processor 1240 may be configured to operate a memoryarray using a memory controller. In some cases, a memory controller maybe integrated into processor 1240. The processor 1240 may be configuredto execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., thememory 1230) to cause the device 1205 to perform various functions(e.g., functions or tasks supporting transponder signaling forlocalization on higher bands).

The inter-station communications manager 1245 may manage communicationswith other base station 105, and may include a controller or schedulerfor controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with otherbase stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager1245 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs 115 for variousinterference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or jointtransmission. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager1245 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wirelesscommunication network technology to provide communication between basestations 105.

The code 1235 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 1235 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 1235 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 1240 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1300 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1300may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein.For example, the operations of method 1300 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control thefunctional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At 1305, the UE may identify a transition of the UE from a connectedstate to an inactive state. The operations of 1305 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1305 may be performed by an inactive state componentas described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1310, the UE may monitor a first beam during a first transponderoccasion of the inactive state, where the first beam is associated witha base station of a notification area. The operations of 1310 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed by a transponderoccasion monitoring component as described with reference to FIGS. 5through 8.

At 1315, the UE may receive, during the first transponder occasion, oneor more transponder search messages that include a first identifierassociated with the notification area. The operations of 1315 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1315 may be performed by a transpondersearch receiver as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1320, the UE may transmit, to the base station, a first transponderresponse message including a second identifier associated with the UE.The operations of 1320 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1320may be performed by a transponder response transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1400may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein.For example, the operations of method 1400 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control thefunctional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At 1405, the UE may identify a transition of the UE from a connectedstate to an inactive state. The operations of 1405 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1405 may be performed by an inactive state componentas described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1410, the UE may monitor a first beam during a first transponderoccasion of the inactive state, where the first beam is associated witha base station of a notification area. The operations of 1410 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a transponderoccasion monitoring component as described with reference to FIGS. 5through 8.

At 1415, the UE may receive, during the first transponder occasion, oneor more transponder search messages that include a first identifierassociated with the notification area. The operations of 1415 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed by a transpondersearch receiver as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1420, the UE may transmit, to the base station, a first transponderresponse message including a second identifier associated with the UE.The operations of 1420 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1420may be performed by a transponder response transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1425, the UE may identify a second beam associated with a second basestation of the notification area subsequent to the first transponderoccasion and prior to a second transponder occasion. The operations of1425 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1425 may be performed by atransponder occasion monitoring component as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1430, the UE may receive, during the second transponder occasion, asecond one or more transponder search messages including the firstidentifier. The operations of 1430 may be performed according to themethods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1430 may be performed by a transponder search receiver as described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1435, the UE may transmit, to the second base station, a secondtransponder response message including the second identifier. Theoperations of 1435 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1435 may beperformed by a transponder response transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1500may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein.For example, the operations of method 1500 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control thefunctional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At 1505, the UE may identify a transition of the UE from a connectedstate to an inactive state. The operations of 1505 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1505 may be performed by an inactive state componentas described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1510, the UE may monitor a first beam during a first transponderoccasion of the inactive state, where the first beam is associated witha base station of a notification area. The operations of 1510 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a transponderoccasion monitoring component as described with reference to FIGS. 5through 8.

At 1515, the UE may identify a first periodicity for receiving the oneor more transponder search messages during a set of transponderoccasions associated with the notification area. The operations of 1515may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by atransponder occasion monitoring component as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1520, the UE may monitor the first beam during a second transponderoccasion of the inactive state in accordance with the first periodicity.The operations of 1520 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1520may be performed by a transponder occasion monitoring component asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1525, the UE may receive, during the first transponder occasion, oneor more transponder search messages that include a first identifierassociated with the notification area. The operations of 1525 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1525 may be performed by a transpondersearch receiver as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1530, the UE may transmit, to the base station, a first transponderresponse message including a second identifier associated with the UE.The operations of 1530 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1530may be performed by a transponder response transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1600may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein.For example, the operations of method 1600 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control thefunctional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At 1605, the UE may identify a transition of the UE from a connectedstate to an inactive state. The operations of 1605 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1605 may be performed by an inactive state componentas described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1610, the UE may monitor a first beam during a first transponderoccasion of the inactive state, where the first beam is associated witha base station of a notification area. The operations of 1610 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a transponderoccasion monitoring component as described with reference to FIGS. 5through 8.

At 1615, the UE may receive, during the first transponder occasion, oneor more transponder search messages that include a first identifierassociated with the notification area. The operations of 1615 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed by a transpondersearch receiver as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1620, the UE may detect the one or more transponder search messagesbased on a correlation property. The operations of 1620 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1620 may be performed by a transponder occasionmonitoring component as described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1625, the UE may transmit, to the base station, a first transponderresponse message including a second identifier associated with the UE.The operations of 1625 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1625may be performed by a transponder response transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

At 1630, the UE may transmit the first transponder response message inresponse to detecting the one or more transponder search messages. Theoperations of 1630 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1630 may beperformed by a transponder response transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1700may be implemented by a base station 105 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 1700 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through12. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructionsto control the functional elements of the base station to perform thefunctions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base stationmay perform aspects of the functions described below usingspecial-purpose hardware.

At 1705, the base station may identify a transition of a UE from aconnected state to an inactive state. The operations of 1705 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by an inactive stateidentification component as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through12.

At 1710, the base station may transmit, during a first transponderoccasion, a transponder search message that includes an identifierassociated with a notification area of the base station via a firstbeam. The operations of 1710 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710may be performed by a transponder search transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1715, the base station may receive a first transponder responsemessage including a second identifier associated with the UE. Theoperations of 1715 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may beperformed by a transponder response receiver as described with referenceto FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1720, the base station may determine a location of the UE based onthe first transponder response message. The operations of 1720 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1720 may be performed by a localizationcomponent as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1800 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1800may be implemented by a base station 105 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 1800 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through12. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructionsto control the functional elements of the base station to perform thefunctions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base stationmay perform aspects of the functions described below usingspecial-purpose hardware.

At 1805, the base station may identify a transition of a UE from aconnected state to an inactive state. The operations of 1805 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed by an inactive stateidentification component as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through12.

At 1810, the base station may transmit, during a first transponderoccasion, a transponder search message that includes an identifierassociated with a notification area of the base station via a firstbeam. The operations of 1810 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1810may be performed by a transponder search transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1815, the base station may receive a first transponder responsemessage including a second identifier associated with the UE. Theoperations of 1815 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may beperformed by a transponder response receiver as described with referenceto FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1820, the base station may determine an angle of arrival of a firstbeam associated with receiving the first transponder response message.The operations of 1820 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1820may be performed by an AoA determination component as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1825, the base station may determine a relative direction of the UEwith respect to the base station based on the angle of arrival of thefirst beam. The operations of 1825 may be performed according to themethods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1825 may be performed by an AoA determination component as describedwith reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1830, the base station may determine a location of the UE based onthe first transponder response message. The operations of 1830 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1830 may be performed by a localizationcomponent as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1900 that supportstransponder signaling for localization on higher bands in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1900may be implemented by a base station 105 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 1900 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through12. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructionsto control the functional elements of the base station to perform thefunctions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a base stationmay perform aspects of the functions described below usingspecial-purpose hardware.

At 1905, the base station may identify a transition of a UE from aconnected state to an inactive state. The operations of 1905 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1905 may be performed by an inactive stateidentification component as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through12.

At 1910, the base station may transmit, during a first transponderoccasion, a transponder search message that includes an identifierassociated with a notification area of the base station via a firstbeam. The operations of 1910 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1910may be performed by a transponder search transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1915, the base station may receive a first transponder responsemessage including a second identifier associated with the UE. Theoperations of 1915 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1915 may beperformed by a transponder response receiver as described with referenceto FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1920, the base station may determine a round-trip time betweentransmitting the one or more transponder search messages and receivingthe first transponder response message. The operations of 1920 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1920 may be performed by an RTTdetermination component as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through12.

At 1925, the base station may determine a relative distance of the UEwith respect to the base station based on the round-trip timing. Theoperations of 1925 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1925 may beperformed by an RTT determination component as described with referenceto FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1930, the base station may determine a location of the UE based onthe first transponder response message. The operations of 1930 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1930 may be performed by a localizationcomponent as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:

Aspect 1: A method for wireless communications at a UE, comprising:identifying a transition of the UE from a connected state to an inactivestate; monitoring a first beam during a first transponder occasion ofthe inactive state, wherein the first beam is associated with a firstbase station of a notification area; receiving, during the firsttransponder occasion, one or more transponder search messages thatcomprise a first identifier associated with the notification area; andtransmitting, to the first base station, a first transponder responsemessage comprising a second identifier associated with the UE.

Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising: identifying asecond beam associated with a second base station of the notificationarea subsequent to the first transponder occasion and prior to a secondtransponder occasion; receiving, during the second transponder occasion,a second one or more transponder search messages comprising the firstidentifier; and transmitting, to the second base station, a secondtransponder response message comprising the second identifier.

Aspect 3: The method of aspect 2, wherein identifying the second beamfurther comprises: comparing the first beam and the second beam based atleast in part on one or more beam measurements of beam sweep signalstransmitted by the first base station and the second base station.

Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 through 3, further comprising:identifying a first periodicity for receiving the one or moretransponder search messages during a plurality of transponder occasionsassociated with the notification area; and monitoring the first beamduring a second transponder occasion of the inactive state in accordancewith the first periodicity.

Aspect 5: The method of aspect 4, further comprising: identifying asecond periodicity for receiving one or more paging messages during aplurality of paging occasions, wherein the second periodicity forreceiving the one or more paging messages is shorter than the firstperiodicity for receiving the one or more transponder search messages;and monitoring for paging messages during the plurality of pagingoccasions according to the first beam.

Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 4 through 5, wherein the firstperiodicity is based at least in part on a mobility profile of the UE,power consumption of the UE, or both.

Aspect 7: The method of any of aspects 1 through 6, further comprising:detecting the one or more transponder search messages based at least inpart on a correlation property; and transmitting the first transponderresponse message in response to detecting the one or more transpondersearch messages.

Aspect 8: The method of any of aspects 1 through 7, wherein the firsttransponder response message comprises one or more data fields forindicating one or more measurements associated with the UE, the one ormore measurements comprising a UE transmission power level, timingparameters, battery status of the UE, user interaction history,operating temperature, or any combination thereof.

Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 1 through 8, wherein the secondidentifier of the first transponder response message comprises a radionetwork temporary identifier associated with the inactive state of theUE.

Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, wherein receivingthe one or more transponder search messages comprises: performing a beamsweep of a plurality of receive beams during transmission of the one ormore transponder search messages; and selecting a transmission beam fortransmitting the first transponder response message based at least inpart on the performing the beam sweep.

Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 1 through 10, wherein the UEcomprises a first receiver operating at a first power for receivingcontrol and data channel transmissions from the first base station and asecond receiver operating at a second, lower power for receivinglimited-complexity signaling, the method further comprising: receiving,during the first transponder occasion, the one or more transpondersearch messages at the second receiver of the UE.

Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1 through 11, furthercomprising: determining a slot boundary based at least in part on theone or more transponder search messages; and transmitting the firsttransponder response message at the slot boundary.

Aspect 13: The method of claim any of aspects 1 through 11 furthercomprising: transmitting the first transponder response message at apredetermined time offset from the one or more transponder searchmessages in response to receiving the one or more transponder searchmessages.

Aspect 14: A method for wireless communications at a base station,comprising: identifying a transition of a UE from a connected state toan inactive state; transmitting, during a first transponder occasion, atransponder search message that comprises an identifier associated witha notification area of the base station via a first beam; receiving afirst transponder response message comprising a second identifierassociated with the UE; and determining a location of the UE based atleast in part on the first transponder response message.

Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, further comprising: identifying afirst periodicity for a plurality of transponder occasions associatedwith the notification area, the plurality of transponder occasionscomprising the first transponder occasion; and transmitting thetransponder search message in each of the plurality of transponderoccasions in accordance with the first periodicity.

Aspect 16: The method of aspect 15, further comprising: identifying asecond periodicity for transmitting one or more paging messages during aplurality of paging occasions, wherein the second periodicity fortransmitting the one or more paging messages is longer than the firstperiodicity for transmitting the transponder search message;transmitting the one or more paging messages based at least in part onthe second periodicity; and receiving, during a first paging occasion,an indication of a location of the UE based at least in part on thetransponder response message.

Aspect 17: The method of any of aspects 15 through 16, wherein the firstperiodicity is based at least in part on a mobility profile of the UE,power consumption of the UE, or both.

Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 14 through 17, whereindetermining the location of the UE further comprises: determining anangle of arrival of the first beam associated with receiving the firsttransponder response message; and determining a relative direction ofthe UE with respect to the base station based at least in part on theangle of arrival of the first beam.

Aspect 19: The method of any of aspects 14 through 18, furthercomprising: determining a round-trip time between transmitting thetransponder search message and receiving the first transponder responsemessage; and determining a relative distance of the UE with respect tothe base station based at least in part on the round-trip time.

Aspect 20: The method of any of aspects 14 through 19, wherein thetransponder search message is associated with a correlation property fordetection using an analog correlation circuit.

Aspect 21: The method of any of aspects 14 through 20, furthercomprising: identifying the first beam based at least in part on a priorcommunication with the UE.

Aspect 22: The method of any of aspects 14 through 21, furthercomprising: identifying the first beam based at least in part on a priorcommunication of a second base station with the UE or a last knownlocation of the UE.

Aspect 23: The method of any of aspects 14 through 22, wherein thesecond identifier of the first transponder response message comprises aradio network temporary identifier associated with the inactive state ofthe UE.

Aspect 24: The method of aspect 23, further comprising: receiving thefirst transponder response message multiplexed with one or more othertransponder response messages from one or more additional UEs based atleast in part on the radio network temporary identifier.

Aspect 25: The method of any of aspects 14 through 24, wherein the firsttransponder response message comprises one or more data fields forindicating one or more measurements associated with the UE, the one ormore measurements comprising a UE transmission power level, timing andfrequency parameters, battery status of the UE, user interactionhistory, operating temperature, or any combination thereof.

Aspect 26: The method of any of aspects 14 through 25, furthercomprising: monitoring for the first transponder response message at apredetermined offset from the transponder search message.

Aspect 27: An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE, comprisinga processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions storedin the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus toperform a method of any of aspects 1 through 12.

Aspect 28: An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE, comprisingat least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through12.

Aspect 29: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code forwireless communications at a UE, the code comprising instructionsexecutable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 1through 12.

Aspect 30: An apparatus comprising a processor; memory coupled with theprocessor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by theprocessor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects13 through 13.

Aspect 31: An apparatus comprising at least one means for performing amethod of any of aspects 13 through 13.

Aspect 32: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code thecode comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform amethod of any of aspects 13 through 13.

Aspect 33: An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station,comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; andinstructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor tocause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 14 through 26.

Aspect 34: An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station,comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects14 through 26.

Aspect 35: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code forwireless communications at a base station, the code comprisinginstructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any ofaspects 14 through 26.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possibleimplementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearrangedor otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible.Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may bedescribed for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NRterminology may be used in much of the description, the techniquesdescribed herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NRnetworks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable tovarious other wireless communications systems such as Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, aswell as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentionedherein.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any ofa variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsthat may be referenced throughout the description may be represented byvoltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles,optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connectionwith the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be amicroprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be anyprocessor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processormay also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, oneor more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any othersuch configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to thenature of software, functions described herein may be implemented usingsoftware executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, orcombinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may alsobe physically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may beaccessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media mayinclude RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flashmemory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othernon-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired programcode means in the form of instructions or data structures and that maybe accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the softwareis transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc,as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items(e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or“one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, alist of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BCor ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “basedon” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions.For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A”may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as usedherein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner asthe phrase “based at least in part on.”

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label, or othersubsequent reference label.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appendeddrawings, describes example configurations and does not represent allthe examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of theclaims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous overother examples.” The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques.These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown inblock diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of thedescribed examples.

The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinaryskill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications tothe disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in theart, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to othervariations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, thedisclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein,but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principlesand novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communications at a userequipment (UE), comprising: identifying a transition of the UE from aconnected state to an inactive state; monitoring a first beam during afirst transponder occasion of the inactive state, wherein the first beamis associated with a first base station of a notification area;receiving, during the first transponder occasion, one or moretransponder search messages that comprise a first identifier associatedwith the notification area; and transmitting, to the first base station,a first transponder response message comprising a second identifierassociated with the UE.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying a second beam associated with a second base station of thenotification area subsequent to the first transponder occasion and priorto a second transponder occasion; receiving, during the secondtransponder occasion, a second one or more transponder search messagescomprising the first identifier; and transmitting, to the second basestation, a second transponder response message comprising the secondidentifier.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein identifying the secondbeam further comprises: comparing the first beam and the second beambased at least in part on one or more beam measurements of beam sweepsignals transmitted by the first base station and the second basestation.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying afirst periodicity for receiving the one or more transponder searchmessages during a plurality of transponder occasions associated with thenotification area; and monitoring the first beam during a secondtransponder occasion of the inactive state in accordance with the firstperiodicity.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: identifying asecond periodicity for receiving one or more paging messages during aplurality of paging occasions, wherein the second periodicity forreceiving the one or more paging messages is shorter than the firstperiodicity for receiving the one or more transponder search messages;and monitoring for paging messages during the plurality of pagingoccasions according to the first beam.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinthe first periodicity is based at least in part on a mobility profile ofthe UE, power consumption of the UE, or both.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: detecting the one or more transponder searchmessages based at least in part on a correlation property; andtransmitting the first transponder response message in response todetecting the one or more transponder search messages.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first transponder response message comprises one ormore data fields for indicating one or more measurements associated withthe UE, the one or more measurements comprising a UE transmission powerlevel, timing parameters, battery status of the UE, user interactionhistory, operating temperature, or any combination thereof.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second identifier of the firsttransponder response message comprises a radio network temporaryidentifier associated with the inactive state of the UE.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more transponder searchmessages comprises: performing a beam sweep of a plurality of receivebeams during transmission of the one or more transponder searchmessages; and selecting a transmission beam for transmitting the firsttransponder response message based at least in part on the performingthe beam sweep.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE comprises afirst receiver operating at a first power for receiving control and datachannel transmissions from the first base station and a second receiveroperating at a second, lower power for receiving limited-complexitysignaling, the method further comprising: receiving, during the firsttransponder occasion, the one or more transponder search messages at thesecond receiver of the UE.
 12. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining a slot boundary based at least in part on theone or more transponder search messages; and transmitting the firsttransponder response message at the slot boundary.
 13. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: transmitting the first transponder responsemessage at a predetermined time offset from the one or more transpondersearch messages in response to receiving the one or more transpondersearch messages.
 14. A method for wireless communications at a basestation, comprising: identifying a transition of a user equipment (UE)from a connected state to an inactive state; transmitting, during afirst transponder occasion, a transponder search message that comprisesan identifier associated with a notification area of the base stationvia a first beam; receiving a first transponder response messagecomprising a second identifier associated with the UE; and determining alocation of the UE based at least in part on the first transponderresponse message.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:identifying a first periodicity for a plurality of transponder occasionsassociated with the notification area, the plurality of transponderoccasions comprising the first transponder occasion; and transmittingthe transponder search message in each of the plurality of transponderoccasions in accordance with the first periodicity.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: identifying a second periodicity fortransmitting one or more paging messages during a plurality of pagingoccasions, wherein the second periodicity for transmitting the one ormore paging messages is longer than the first periodicity fortransmitting the transponder search message; transmitting the one ormore paging messages based at least in part on the second periodicity;and receiving, during a first paging occasion, an indication of thelocation of the UE based at least in part on the first transponderresponse message.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the firstperiodicity is based at least in part on a mobility profile of the UE,power consumption of the UE, or both.
 18. The method of claim 14,wherein determining the location of the UE further comprises:determining an angle of arrival of the first beam associated withreceiving the first transponder response message; and determining arelative direction of the UE with respect to the base station based atleast in part on the angle of arrival of the first beam.
 19. The methodof claim 14, further comprising: determining a round-trip time betweentransmitting the transponder search message and receiving the firsttransponder response message; and determining a relative distance of theUE with respect to the base station based at least in part on theround-trip time.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the transpondersearch message is associated with a correlation property for detectionusing an analog correlation circuit.
 21. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: identifying the first beam based at least in part on a priorcommunication with the UE.
 22. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: identifying the first beam based at least in part on a priorcommunication of a second base station with the UE or a last knownlocation of the UE.
 23. The method of claim 14, wherein the secondidentifier of the first transponder response message comprises a radionetwork temporary identifier associated with the inactive state of theUE.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: receiving the firsttransponder response message multiplexed with one or more othertransponder response messages from one or more additional UEs based atleast in part on the radio network temporary identifier.
 25. The methodof claim 14, wherein the first transponder response message comprisesone or more data fields for indicating one or more measurementsassociated with the UE, the one or more measurements comprising a UEtransmission power level, timing and frequency parameters, batterystatus of the UE, user interaction history, operating temperature, orany combination thereof.
 26. The method of claim 14, further comprising:monitoring for the first transponder response message at a predeterminedoffset from the transponder search message.
 27. An apparatus forwireless communications at a user equipment (UE), comprising: aprocessor, memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored inthe memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:identify a transition of the UE from a connected state to an inactivestate; monitor a first beam during a first transponder occasion of theinactive state, wherein the first beam is associated with a first basestation of a notification area; receive, during the first transponderoccasion, one or more transponder search messages that comprise a firstidentifier associated with the notification area; and transmit, to thefirst base station, a first transponder response message comprising asecond identifier associated with the UE.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27,wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor tocause the apparatus to: identify a second beam associated with a secondbase station of the notification area subsequent to the firsttransponder occasion and prior to a second transponder occasion;receive, during the second transponder occasion, a second one or moretransponder search messages comprising the first identifier; andtransmit, to the second base station, a second transponder responsemessage comprising the second identifier.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28,wherein the instructions to identify the second beam further areexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: compare the firstbeam and the second beam based at least in part on one or more beammeasurements of beam sweep signals transmitted by the first base stationand the second base station.
 30. An apparatus for wirelesscommunications at a base station, comprising: a processor, memorycoupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory andexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify atransition of a user equipment (UE) from a connected state to aninactive state; transmit, during a first transponder occasion, atransponder search message that comprises an identifier associated witha notification area of the base station via a first beam; receive afirst transponder response message comprising a second identifierassociated with the UE; and determine a location of the UE based atleast in part on the first transponder response message.